Tag: John Henderson

Ex-Jaguars DT John Henderson earns spot in Tennessee Vols Hall of Fame

One of the best (and most intimidating) defensive linemen in Jaguars history is set to be honored by his alma mater.

One of the best (and most intimidating) defensive linemen in Jacksonville Jaguars history is set to be honored by his alma mater in April.

On Thursday, the University of Tennessee announced that John Henderson will be inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024.

Henderson, 45, was a two-time All-American, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and the Outland Trophy during his time with the Vols. After his dominant collegiate career, the Jaguars selected Henderson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft.

Coupled with 2001 first-round Marcus Stroud, the Jaguars’ pair of goliath defensive tackles were the foundation of a defense that finished top 10 in points allowed five times between 2002 and 2007.

Henderson played eight seasons with the Jaguars, earning two Pro Bowl nods and racking up 29 sacks and 60 tackles for loss, before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders.

The induction ceremony at Tennessee is scheduled for Friday, April 26.

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Texas Longhorns oldest living letterman John Henderson passed away on Friday

The Texas Longhorns family is in mourning as John Henderson passed this past Friday. He was 107 years old.

It was a sad day this past Friday as news broke of the passing of John Henderson. He was often referred to as the oldest letterman. Henderson lettered with the Texas Longhorns back in 1935 as a guard for the football team. Each year from 1932 to 2019, Henderson attended at least one game per season. That streak ended this year. He was born in 1912 and lived to the age of 107. Along with his wife Charlotte, the couple was named the oldest living couple.

The Hendersons married in 1939 during the Great Depression and spent just $7 on the hotel room for their honeymoon. They later moved to Port Arthur, where John coached and taught at a junior high school for three years. He then took a job at Humble Oil and Refinery Co., later to become Exxon, where he worked for the next 36 years, first in the controllers department, and then as head of business services. The couple celebrated 80 years of marriage on Dec. 15, 2019.

A charter member of the Longhorn Foundation and longtime season ticket holder, Henderson would travel to Austin for football games and attended at least one for 84 consecutive seasons up until 2019. In 2009, he returned to Austin as the first resident of Longhorn Village, a retirement community for the school’s alumni, where he lived until his passing.

Texas recognized Henderson as the oldest living Longhorn Letterman during Texas’ win over Louisiana Tech in 2019. He also served as the Longhorns’ honorary captain prior to a victory over Kansas State in 2013. – Texas Sports

The Longhorn community mourns the loss of John Henderson. Rest in peace to an absolute Longhorns legend.